County Clerk Jim Candelarie to retire after 17 years

Interviews for key position likely to begin in December

Broomfield City and County Clerk and Recorder Jim Candelarie stands outside of the George Di Ciero City and County Building on Thursday. (Jeremy Papasso / Staff Photographer)

Jim Candelarie is hoping for a record turnout this midterm election so he can end his tenure as Broomfield City and County Clerk and Recorderon a high note.

After 17 years in the clerk and recorder's office, Candelarie is retiring. His final official day in office is Jan. 2.

For the next few days, he will be work with other agencies to ensure ballot security, tally election day results, and oversee canvassing.

Candelarie, who has been in this field for 29 years, came to Broomfield in 2001, when Broomfield became a city and county. His initial duties were to oversee the elections division under Broomfield's first clerk, Russ Ragsdale.

"What felt fascinating with Broomfield was the chance to create a department from scratch," he said. "Professionally, you never that opportunity because counties have been around for a long time."

Candelarie took over Ragsdale's position in 2010.

Before Broomfield, he spent nine years as chief deputy clerk for Adams County and three years with the Colorado Secretary of State's Office.

Over the past 17 years he and teams have conducted at least 44 elections, he said, and currently oversees elections, recording, county motor vehicle operations and city clerk operations.

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"At the end of the day, it is the friendships I've made and the experiences with the people I've had the privilege to get to work with that I embrace," Candelarie said. "A favorite part of my job is knowing that what we do is important to the people of Broomfield and to the democracy of our nation. It doesn't get much better."

In the most recent community survey, nine out of 10 people felt the department of motor vehicles was doing an "excellent or good" job.

"That's big for me," Candelarie said. "I'm very proud of the accomplishments staff has made there."

He attributes high customer-satisfaction to minimum wait time and great customer service. Elections, motor vehicle and police divisions likely have the most interaction with residents, he said, so it means a lot that the public approves of the work they do.

Broomfield also was one of the first counties in the state to install a motor vehicle kiosk — it's at the Paul Derda Recreation Center — where people can renew plates.

Candelarie, 61, said he felt the time was right for him to retire. He intends to travel and spend more time with his family, including his five grandchildren, two of whom live in New York with their parents.

"I still really like what I do and I think it's important to leave before you start disliking what you do," he said. "I have my health and it's a good move for me. I'm not retiring to go find another job. I may do something else, but then I may not. I have no real plans other than to enjoy life."

He said he is proud to help Broomfield go from precinct voting, to super precinct, to mail-ballot elections.

None of the accomplishments of the clerk's department would have been possible without the professionalism, dedication and hard work of the people Candelarie said he's had the privilege to work with and the support of the city manager's office.

Members of the recording division are "really the historians" for Broomfield, tracking things such as land purchases and marriage licenses. Broomfield is one of the few counties that puts all recorded documents online, redacting or withholding personal information to protect privacy.

"That aspect of public service is what I really enjoy," he said. "Being able to bring those services to the public."

The clerk position posted this week on Broomfield's website and Director of Human Resources Suzanne Smith said it will close Nov. 16.

Phone screening interviews are expected to occur Dec. 3 and 4; in-person panel interviews Dec. 5 through 7; and an employee and city council forum on Dec. 12. Interviews by the city and county managerwill be between Dec. 12 and Dec. 14.

A resolution could go to council for final approval on the hire in January.

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